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Study confirms EQUIA Forte is suitable for medium to large Class II restorations

A five-year multicenter clinical study confirms EQUIA Forte is a suitable material for medium to large Class II restorations.

This long-term randomized trial compares the clinical performance of a glass hybrid restorative system, EQUIA Forte, with a gold-standard nanohybrid composite (Tetric EvoCeram, Ivoclar Vivadent) in medium to large Class II restorations. 

The study was led by Prof. Ivana Miletic, who worked with a distinguished team of renowned professors from four different European Universities: Anja Baraba and Silvana Jukic Krmek (Zagreb University), Matteo Basso (Milan University), Tamara Peric and Dejan Markovic (Belgrade,University), Cygdem Atalayin Ozkaya, Hande Kemaloğlu and Lezize Sebnem Turkun (Ege university).

After having successfully followed up 180 patients in 4 different countries, the authors were elated to see the presentation of their study “Five-Year Performance of Glass-Hybrid and Nano-Hybrid Restoratives: Multi-Centre Clinical Trial“ during the CED/NOF – IADR 2023 Congress, that took place in Rhodes, Greece.

With an informative and captivating presentation, Prof. Ivana Miletic, from Zagreb University, grabbed the attention of the audience while presenting the findings of this extensive research.

The study results revealed the similar clinical performance of Equia Forte and the benchmark nanohybrid composite after 5 years, offering clinicians the flexibility to choose the most suitable restorative solution for their patients, based on individual needs and circumstances.

At the congress prof. Ivana Miletic said: “After five years of follow-up, our results demonstrate an excellent long-term success of glass hybrid. I am optimistic about these materials’ expanding the restorative options without compromising the treatment outcomes for our patients.”

The authors are now eagerly awaiting the final publication of this remarkable study as a full manuscript.

For more detail visit page 183 on https://ced-iadr2023.com/abstract-book-2/

New CGDent-GC Award offers aesthetic dentistry training to Foundation Dentists

The College of General Dentistry (CGDent) and GC, in association with The Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation, have launched a new competition for Foundation Dentists and Vocational Trainees throughout the UK.

The inaugural CGDent-GC Award for Foundation Dentists, which promotes dentistry skills, is open to all those enrolled on a Foundation or Vocational Training Programme in 2023-24.

All eligible competition entrants will receive a free GC G-aenial A-CHORD Composite kit, worth in the region of £250, to use in their case treatment (while stocks last), and up to 14 winners will receive a fully-funded place on a composite layering course taking place over two days at the GC Europe Campus in Leuven, Belgium. The prize includes hotel accommodation, international travel expenses, meals and subsistence.

Entrants must submit an aesthetic case that they have treated during their Foundation/Vocational Training. The case must involve more than one tooth, including at least one anterior tooth, as well as the use of composite to restore teeth.

The award is now open, the closing date for entry is Friday 23 February 2024, and final cases must be submitted by Friday 5 April 2024. The winners will be announced in early June, and their course will take place on Thursday 11th & Friday 12th July 2024.

GC is an oral health company which manufactures dental systems and products which are sold around the world, and has won awards for its products and innovations. It provides both online and in-person training covering many areas of dental practice.

The Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation supports educational opportunities for early career dentists in the UK, and was founded by Dr Tom Bereznicki FCGDent, a general dental practitioner with a special interest in restorative dentistry.

Speaking about the inaugural award, Professor Sir Nairn Wilson CBE FCGDent, President Emeritus of the College, said:

“I am delighted that newly qualified colleagues will have the opportunity to enter the innovative CGDent-GC competition. By becoming entrants, it is hoped that a large number of FDs and VTs across the UK, in addition to having opportunity to work with a state-of-the-art composite system, will be encouraged to expand and develop their knowledge, skills and experience in aesthetic dentistry, to better serve the needs and expectations of their patients. The collaborative working between CGDent and GC, made possible by the generous support of the recently established Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation, is to be warmly welcomed: hopefully the first of many different collaborations between the College and the dental industry to promote excellence in clinical care.”

John Maloney, GC’s Director and Country Manager for the UK, Ireland and South Africa, said: “GC are honoured to partner with the College of General Dentistry and The Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation to deliver this new prize for Foundation Dentists. GC have a proud history of delivering quality postgraduate education to the dental profession, and therefore we look forward to developing this partnership in the years to come.”

Dr Bereznicki commented: “I would like to thank the Trustees of The Tom Bereznicki Charitable Educational Foundation, the College of General Dentistry and GC in helping to get this exciting project off the ground. I would also like to thank my long-standing friend from my undergraduate days in Edinburgh, the recently knighted Sir Nairn Wilson, for agreeing to be the Patron of the charity. This inaugural competition is the first of what we hope will be many other competitions in the near future.”

Further information about the award, with links to guidance and the entry form, is available at https://cgdent.uk/cgdent-gc-award

GC takes new post-earthquake aid initiatives to support affected dentists

In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria on February 6, 2023, GC has extended its support to the affected communities. Mr. Makoto Nakao, Chairman of GC International, Mrs. Makiko Nakao, President of Foundation Nakao for Worldwide Oral Health and Mr. Josef Richter, COO & President of GC Europe recently undertook a courtesy visit to Turkey, reaffirming GC’s unwavering commitment to stand by those in times of crisis and to fulfill its corporate social responsibilities.

On 3 July, during their visit, a product donation voucher of €100,000 was delivered to Mr. Tarik Ismen, President of the Turkish Dentistry Association, who expressed his deep appreciation towards GC’s aid initiatives.

The Turkish Dental Trade and Businessmen Association (DİŞSIAD), representing 250 dental companies in Turkey, was also visited for a report on the donations. On this occasion, Mr. Erkan Ucar, Chairman of DİŞSIAD, thanked GC as the first dental manufacturer to donate and presented a Letter of Appreciation.

On 7 July, Ms. Selen Hazne, Country Manager of GC Turkey, visited the province of Hatay, which was most affected by the earthquake. Prefabricated clinics were built for dentists whose clinics were destroyed, and those that could were being repaired. The first sample donation package was presented to the Chairman of the Hatay Dental Chamber, Mr. Nebil Seyfettin.

“I could feel the energy of the people, determined to recover from this natural disaster,” Ms. Hazne reported. “We aim to help the dentists here where we can, so they can regain stability and resume their daily lives as much as possible”.

The shipments of the donations were planned to be completed on the 20th of July with individual packages for the designated clinicians.

Photo Caption: Mr. Makoto Nakao, Chairman GC International AG, Mr. Joseph Richter, COO & President of GC Europe, and Mr. Tarik Ismen, President of the Turkish Dental Association

Prevention is better than cure – the keys to effective paediatric preventive dentistry are explored by Dr Libi (Lubna) Al-Muzian

The discourse and education around paediatric dentistry has come a long way, but what further lengths are necessary to prioritise prevention over cure and set children on a path of excellent dental health for life? In the first episode of GC’s podcast series, paediatric specialist Dr Libi speaks about the preventive routines she employs and the steps she recommends to help children, parents and carers develop a prevention mindset. Here’s a taster of what she has to say.

 

The key problems facing paediatric dentistry

The first problem for paediatric dentistry is actually a much wider issue, centering around the public’s general attitude to oral hygiene. People don’t attach the same sense of priority to oral hygiene as they do to other aspects of their personal care, such as skincare and haircare. However, unlike teeth, skin and hair can regenerate and grow. A more helpful approach would be to view oral hygiene in a similar way to hand hygiene. We wash our hands when they get dirty, so we should brush our teeth when they get dirty too.

There have been several successful campaigns in paediatric dentistry, including the message to brush children’s teeth twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste and to spit instead of rinse. Yet, parents who follow all this advice are still left wondering why their child continues to suffer from poor dental health. The answer is that advice alone is not enough, and further steps need to be added to children’s oral hygiene routines to reinforce the educational messages. For example, the prevalence of interproximal caries in children shows that interproximal spaces are not being cleaned sufficiently and flossing should often be recommended, even for younger children.

Education

Education is an essential part of prevention and is key to setting children up for a lifetime of excellent oral health. The British Society of Paediatric Dentistry (BSPD) is doing a great job of harnessing the power of celebrity to educate families, but a new direction is also necessary to engage a new generation of parents.

Younger parents now interact and get their information via social media such as TikTok, Instagram and Facebook and oral health messages need to be relayed on these platforms in a way that is accessible and relatable. This is much harder to achieve on a national or governmental level, so the responsibility comes down to individual dentists to share educational messages on their own social media platforms.

When it comes to using social media, many dentists fear coming across as being too ‘salesy’. There’s no doubt that it’s hard to recommend a product, no matter how much you believe in it, without third party support – so it helps to provide all of the information and evidence that’s available. It’s also helpful to reinforce the message that spending a little extra on the right preventive products will likely reduce the amount spent on dental treatments in the future.

Investing in prevention

When it comes to an easy and accessible investment in oral health, I recommend the use of Tooth Mousse (GC) which helps offset the effects of the modern diet. Tooth Mousse negates the effects of the acid attacks that teeth are subjected to multiple times a day, neutralising the acid that’s produced after eating and preventing the depletion of minerals from the enamel. Tooth Mousse also provides the teeth with added minerals, strengthening weaker spots in the enamel to make teeth more resistant to decay and caries.

I use Tooth Mousse as an effective solution for children with hypomineralised and sensitive teeth who find brushing uncomfortable and therefore struggle to maintain adequate oral hygiene. Many children suffer with hypomineralised teeth and it’s important to recognise that children often have a valid reason for not wanting their teeth brushed. The key is to diagnose problems early and provide parents with the right tools to solve the issues being faced. We all know that when patients begin to feel better and they can see a visible difference it motivates them to continue with treatment.

Prevention in the clinic

EQUIA Forte HT (GC), which is a glass hybrid material has become the cornerstone of my preventive routine in clinic and I use it as the primary sealant for my patients. The use of resin sealants can prove to be near-impossible on younger children, as they don’t like keeping their mouth open for a long time and moisture control can be a challenge. If we add hypomineralised teeth into the equation, the cold water spray and suction can feel especially unpleasant with a resultant loss in patient cooperation.

EQUIA Forte HT chemically bonds to the tooth’s surface to provide an effective seal. It works well in areas where moisture control is a challenge and can be applied with a simple finger press. One capsule of EQUIA Forte HT will seal at least four molars, with each taking less than a minute to seal – making it both cost and time effective. It also doesn’t wear away at the same rate as resins, but application is so seamless that topping up, if necessary, isn’t a problem.

I believe that simplifying preventive processes in the clinic by using appropriate materials is a big step in the right direction to build children’s confidence and cooperation, setting them up for lifelong dental health.

Children who receive positive prevention messages, instilled in them at an early age, will go on to need minimal amounts of treatment throughout their lives. They will know how to look after their teeth in the best way possible, seek treatment when they need it, and view the dentist as someone who is there to help them care for their teeth – and that’s a significant part of the healthcare we provide.

Listen to the full podcast to find out more about Dr Libi’s preventive routine and tips:

 

https://www.gc.dental/europe/en

About the Author

Dr Libi, MPaed Dent RCS (Edinburgh), Doctorate Clin.Dent. Paediatric Dentistry (Edinburgh), MFD RCS (Ireland), PGCert. Med.Ed (Dundee), PGCert. DPH (Manchester), DDS (AUST) is a Specilaist in Paediatric Dentistry at Sunrise Dental Clinic, Edinburgh

www.sunrisedental.co.uk

GC Europe launches Safe4Dentistry.com to provide safe and effective treatment options

GC Europe Launches Safe4Dentistry.com, a Resource Centre for Dental Professionals on Mitigating Risks of Aerosols During Treatment.

Recognising how dramatically the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the practice of dentistry, GC has developed a microsite dedicated to providing the latest updates on evolving guidelines for dental professionals. Safe4Dentistry.com is a continually updated resource centre that provides safe and effective minimally invasive dental treatment options and data, including information on how to reduce aerosol production to protect staff and patients during appointments.

The Safe4Dentistry.com site is populated with podcasts, clinical case examples, continuing education (CE) courses, and access to live webinars, recent articles and other resources. Topics include placing minimally invasive low-aerosol fillings, how to approach emergency treatments, ways to keep the dental practice safe and secure, and much more.

Minimally invasive restoration techniques often eliminate the need for high-speed drilling, which creates aerosols that can impact both patients and practitioners. Using glass ionomer and glass hybrid restorative technology systems provides interim and long-term restorative solutions. Featured cases demonstrate how blending glass hybrids and traditional materials and methods can reduce aerosols, such as utilising materials like EQUIA Forte HT glass hybrid restoratives that require no high-speed drilling or extensive tooth preparation.

Implementing the correct protocols is paramount to patient and staff safety but keeping track of the rapidly changing recommendations and guidelines can be daunting. The Safe and Secure Practice section of the microsite contains the latest updates on evolving guidelines by organisations such as WHO, FDI, and many other European associations, step-by-step procedures, and relevant articles and resources for the dental practitioner.

The Additional Resources section contains systematic reviews, additional tutorials, webinars and podcasts. Presenters include Prof. Dr. Ivana Miletić, Prof. Dr. Sevil Gürgan,

Prof. Dr. Sebnem Türkün, Dr. José Ignacio Zalba Elizari, Dr. John Nicholson and many others. Dental professionals can also request online training and in office visits with their local representatives.

GC Europe is committed to the safety and wellbeing of both oral health providers and patients and the quality of its products. To gain user opinions and suggestions, Safe4Dentistry.com also includes tools to collect the opinions of our customers on certain topics.

For more information, please visit http://Safe4Dentistry.com/.

Inaugural GC Europe International MI Congress presents Minimum Intervention Dentistry

In preparation for GC’s 100th anniversary in 2021, the 1st GC Europe International MI Congress took place on 20th June 2020. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the format had to be changed to an online continuing education event. Over 2,000 participants signed up for the live sessions and were able to be a part of a remarkable and successful day.

The Congress consisted of nine sessions on Minimum Intervention Dentistry, informing delegates about the latest scientific and professional strategies to promote responsible decision-making in modern dentistry. Question and answer sessions rounded up the professional exchange to the topics at hand.

Online continuing education is in high demand among dental professionals, especially during the current exceptional circumstances.

Dental professionals and administration teams feel more comfortable utilising the internet to learn about new treatment options, related innovative products as well as application strategies from the comfort of their home or office. The high level of attendance and participation in the Congress webinars throughout the entire day confirmed the increased interest in this alternative format.

The webinars can be accessed on demand at www.gceuropecampus.com.